Vol. 566 No. 1
285 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the nature of the review of the area in relation to special needs assistants in primary schools which is taking place at the moment; when it is likely to report; and when the findings will be implemented. [11506/03]
In February 2002, new procedures for schools to access special needs assistant support for pupils with disabilities were put in place under the terms of circular 7/2002. These procedures were intended to simplify and speed up the application and allocation process. When these new procedures were introduced, it was agreed that a review of their operation would take place later in the year. That review is now taking place in a small number of selected mainstream primary and post-primary schools. The review focuses on the current provision of special needs assistants in the selected schools and their deployment. It also studies whether the appointment procedures followed were in keeping with the terms of circular 7/2002 and the adequacy of the special need assistant provision in meeting the special care needs of the children for whom it was sought. It is expected that the outcome of the review will be available by the end of the current school year and that its findings can begin to be implemented thereafter.
